Youth Program Faculty & Staff

Jess Naylon, M.Ed.
Director and Co-founder

  • Jess is a Maryland native and currently resides in Howard County. With over 25 years of experience, Jess has trained and taught in the styles of jazz, hip-hop, ballet, tap, contemporary, musical theatre, and pom. She attended the University of Miami in Miami, FL, studying Psychology and Dance Education, and was a 4-year member and Captain of the Sunsations Dance Team. Most recently, Jess completed 3 seasons in the NFL with the Washington Commanders as a Command Force Dancer. Jess is a sought-out instructor and choreographer in the DMV area, choreographing for national dance companies, studios, and college and high school teams.

    Outside of her dance career, Jess holds a Master’s degree in Counseling and works as an Elementary School Counselor and Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist. Jess enjoys working with children and families to foster an inclusive, positive, and versatile dance environment at MDDP!

    In her free time, Jess enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with her husband, Devin, and miniature labradoodle, Jimmy!

Emily Whitacre
Director and Co-founder

  • Emily began dancing at the age of 4 in Columbus, Ohio. She attended the University of Dayton where she studied Graphic Design and Fine Art. While in college, she was head of the UD Dance Team and also taught an advanced lyrical class to college students. Before Emily’s senior year, she danced for New Vision Dance Co. in Columbus and continued with the company for three years after graduating. In 2016 she had the opportunity to join Seven Dance Company and was part of a project that was aired on PBS and shown at the Columbus science museum, COSI. Emily moved from Ohio to Virginia in 2020 to join Gallagher & Associates as an Exhibit Graphic Designer. She continued training and teaching at local studios in the DMV and auditioned for her first professional team. Emily danced for the Washington Commanders’ co-ed entertainment team, the Command Force, for two seasons were she trained with world-renowned choreographers. She was honored with the “Full-Force” award her second year, which was also the final Game Ball of the season. Emily is ecstatic for this next adventure with MDDP.

Lori Struss Weatherly
Youth Program Faculty

  • Lori Struss Weatherly previously owned her own dance studio for twenty-five years. A dance teacher of forty years, her degree in dance from University of Maryland Baltimore County was not enough to satisfy her taste for knowledge. She has certified in Vagonava and Cechetti Ballet styles, received High Honors from Dance Educators of America in her three-year Teacher Training under the direction of Charles Kelly, and completed her level 1 training with Acrobatic Arts. Ms. Weatherly has assisted dance luminaries Jo Rowan, Frank Hatchett, and Gus Giordano. She has attended numerous classes, workshops, and continues to train in dance and fitness. She just finished the Teacher Training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet ages six to pre-professional. She is a former modern dance professional, competition judge, and convention teacher. She teaches the International Baccalaureate Dance Program at St. Timothy’s School.

Jordan Turner-Bailey, M.Ed.
Youth Program Faculty

  • Jordan began her tumbling/acrobatics career when she was 4 years old in Maywood, IL. Growing up Jordan was apart of Mr. Ernie’s Flip Flop and Fly competitive team, Atmosphere of Tumbling, Tri-Star Gymnastics, and Jesse White Tumbling  Team. Jordan also has  10+ years of experience in competitive cheerleading and pursued her cheer career at Grambling State University and Bowie State University, where she received her Bachelors in Child Development Early Literacy and Masters in School Counseling. Instructing the youth and giving them an outlet to express themselves as an athlete and as a student has always been a goal of mine! Jordan has been instructing tumbling since the age of 16 at The Atmosphere Of Tumbling where her coaches had admired her phenomenal leadership skills. Jordan has been an instructor in states such as Chicago, Louisiana, Memphis, Maryland, and DC. In the near future Jordan aspires  to own a Recreational center that provides mental health services, improving physical fitness, and social skills. 

Katie Schinzel
Youth Program Faculty

  • Katie began dancing at the age of 7 in Westminster, Maryland. She attended the University of South Carolina where she studied Sports and Entertainment Management. During college, Katie was a member and choreographer of the Carolina Club dance team and taught at a local studio. With more than 15 years of experience across all styles of dance, Katie is looking forward to sharing her passion and energy with MDDP youth!

Alexandra Olson
Youth Program Faculty

  • Coming soon!

Hannah Evenson
Youth Program Faculty

  • Hannah started dancing at the age of 3 focusing on ballet, tap, jazz, conditioning, and lyrical. She attended high school at Archbishop Spalding High School where she was on the UDA nationally ranked varsity dance team for 4 years. She was elected senior captain her senior year, leading the team to nationals performing in pom and jazz. Upon graduation from high school, she attended Penn State University where she was a member of the Penn State Lionettes dance team, performing for thousands of fans during football and basketball games as well as preparing for nationals. Hannah also became a member of the Universal Dance Association Staff where she taught high school and college dancers pom, jazz, hip-hop, and kick during the year as they prepared for nationals. She has since been with the company for 6 years and has become a Head instructor with UDA. She has also taught young dancers ballet, tap, and jazz at various studios in the last few years. Most recently, Hannah has become a certified flexibility coach to help dancers reach their full potential in their movement and continues to teach conditioning/technique, pom, and jazz throughout the Maryland area.

Claudia Yanss
Youth Program Faculty Assistant

  • Coming Soon!

Jessica Fair
Studio Administrator

  • Jessica began her dance training in Flint, Michigan and has been involved in the dance community for over 25 years. She was trained in classical ballet at the Flint School of Performing Arts and performed with renowned companies such as the Joffrey Ballet, the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the Grand Rapids Ballet. Her passion for dance extends beyond performance, as she now dedicates her expertise to supporting studio operations and providing an enriching environment for both students and instructors. In addition to her dance experience, Jessica has a Master’s degree in Public Health and currently works as a Health Scientist Administrator, supporting research to better treat and prevent diseases. Jessica is thrilled to assist MDDP and looks forward to promoting a positive dance community!

Grace Fluckiger
Studio Administrator

  • Grace began dancing at age 5 in Wyoming at the local studio. She was instructed in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and ballroom. While in college at Brigham Young University, she continued to take classes in Indian, modern, and ballroom dance and competed in BYU’s Dancesport. 

    In addition to dance, Grace studied Elementary Education and was a kindergarten teacher before moving to Maryland. She now works for Columbia Association, and enjoys reading, cooking, and getting outside in her down time.